A training and/or rehabilitation device in which a walking or running treadmill (2) is arranged in a water tank with flowing water (9). To be able to use the device regardless of the design of the water tank, the walking or running treadmill (2) can be used together with a stream generator (3) as a unit in the water tank or in open water.
|
1. A training and/or rehabilitation device comprising:
a walking or running treadmill arranged in a water tank or in open water with flowing water,
a stream generator, wherein the walking or running treadmill is arranged together with the stream generator on a common framework, and wherein the common framework, together with the walking or running treadmill and the stream generator, is arranged within the water tank or in the open water,
a drive and/or braking device provided for the walking or running treadmill, the drive and/or braking device being connected to a central computer and the stream generator being connected to the central computer, such that both the drive and/or braking device and the stream generator are independently controlled by the central computer,
wherein the stream generator is provided within a housing on the common framework,
wherein water guide plates that guide a flow of water are provided within the housing, and
wherein water is drawn to the stream generator through intake grates that are provided on a side wall of the housing.
2. The training and/or rehabilitation device according to
3. The training and/or rehabilitation device according to
4. The training and/or rehabilitation device according to
5. The training and/or rehabilitation device according to
6. The training and/or rehabilitation device according to
7. The training and/or rehabilitation device according to
8. The training and/or rehabilitation device according to
9. The training and/or rehabilitation device according to
10. The training and/or rehabilitation device according to
11. The training and/or rehabilitation device according to
|
This application is a national stage of International Application No.: PCT/AT2010/000008, which was filed on Jan. 12, 2010, and which claims priority to Austrian Patent Application No.: GM 31/2009, which was filed in Jan. 20, 2009, and which are both herein incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a training and/or rehabilitation device in which a walking or running treadmill is arranged in a water tank with flowing water, the walking or running treadmill being arranged together with a stream generator on a common framework, which unit can be used in a water tank or in open water.
2. Description of the Background Art
In known designs of this type, a walking or running treadmill is used in a pool equipped with a stream system, whereby said pool is used primarily for the treatment of animals (see in particular DE 3911370 C2, DE 102004010188 A1, or DE 10001878 A1).
In DE 19963583 A1 as well, which discloses an “Aqua-Trainer for humans,” a treadmill is used fixed in a water tank equipped with a stream system or countercurrent swimming unit.
The aforementioned designs have the disadvantage that the walking or running treadmill can be used for underwater therapy in combination with the water flow only when the water pools are provided with appropriate stream systems.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,376 shows a treadmill which is placed in a pool and by which a pump can be driven, which draws water out of the pool and returns it into the pool via openings in a riser pipe. The openings in this case are directed against the training person, the water emerging uncontrolled into the pool. The pump is provided to control the running resistance, so that at a high running resistance only a small volume of water is recirculated by the pump.
According to JP 2001137383, a treadmill is used in a pool, whereby a stream generator directed at the lower legs of the person is provided at the hand-hold for the training person; the construction and mode of action of the stream generator is not explained further.
The object of the invention is to provide a device of the aforementioned type, which can be used independent of the design of the water tank or also in open water, whereby the flow is to be adjustable individually to the training person.
Because the walking or running treadmill is provided with a drive and/or braking device known per se, the drive and/or braking device being connected to a central computer by which both the drive and/or braking device and the stream generator can be controlled, the treadmill speed or the resistance, acting against the user by the treadmill, can be adapted to the treatment or the training stage. This makes it possible, on the one hand, to regulate the belt speed or the belt resistance and, on the other, the flow rate of the water emerging from the stream generator, adjusted to one another and according to the specific requirements. To this end, the control variable for the central computer can be the position of the using person on the walking or running treadmill and/or the belt speed. To determine the position of the using person, sensors can be provided on the walking or running treadmill. For an especially simple design, the sensors can be designed as distance or proximity sensors mounted on the stream generator. This makes it superfluous to place sensors directly under the treadmill, which is disadvantageous, inasmuch as the treadmill slides over the sensors when there is a load. Finally, the incline of the walking or running treadmill can be adjusted to set different load patterns for the training person.
An exemplary embodiment of the subject-matter of the invention is presented schematically in the drawing.
A walking or running treadmill 2 and a stream generator 3 are arranged on a support frame 1. Stream generator 3 in this case is driven by a turbine 4 and is located in a housing 5, in which the water is drawn in via side intake grates 6. The drawn in water is conveyed into the pool via a discharge nozzle or a discharge passage 7, guide plates 8 diverting the water stream being arranged in housing 5. The flow predominating in the pool is indicated by arrows 9.
Both treadmill 2 and stream generator 3 are connected to a central computer 10, which regulates both treadmill 2 and stream generator 3 as a function of one another or independently of one another. Framework 1 bearing treadmill 2 is supported by adjustable feet 11 at the bottom 21 of the tank. Belt 2 has a deflection roller 12 and a drive and/or braking device 13. Said drive and/or braking device is then used for regulating the device or the load of the person by means of the power of the stream generator. Handgrips are designated with 14 and 15 which a runner 17 can hold for safe movement. Handgrip 14 is located under water line 16, and handgrip 15, in contrast, above the line.
As an alternative to runner 17, the number 18 indicates a swimmer, who uses the training and/or rehabilitation device of the invention for generating a countercurrent for swimming training. In this case, treadmill 2 is not used.
A spacer 19 is provided further on support frame 1 to keep the device at an appropriate distance from the pool edge 20.
The position of runner 17 is typically used to control the device of the invention by the central computer 10, the position measurement being made in a conventional manner, for instance, by a distance or proximity sensor 22, which is mounted on housing 5 of stream generator 3. As an alternative hereto, pressure sensors 23 provided under the treadmill could also be provided, which then determine the position of the runner based on the pressure applied by runner to the treadmill.
In a likewise not shown manner, the treadmill could also be pivotable around the axis of roller 12, in fact, in such a way that drive and/or braking device 13, causing the front deflection of the belt, is pivotable toward the edge of the tank. In this way, an ascent can be simulated by an inclined plane.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are to be included within the scope of the following claims.
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
10449416, | Aug 26 2015 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Strength exercise mechanisms |
10561894, | Mar 18 2016 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Treadmill with removable supports |
10709925, | Mar 14 2013 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Strength training apparatus |
10758767, | Dec 26 2013 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Resistance mechanism in a cable exercise machine |
10864407, | Mar 18 2016 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Coordinated weight selection |
10940360, | Aug 26 2015 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Strength exercise mechanisms |
10953268, | Mar 14 2013 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Strength training apparatus |
10953305, | Aug 26 2015 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Strength exercise mechanisms |
10967214, | Dec 26 2013 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Cable exercise machine |
10994173, | May 13 2016 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Weight platform treadmill |
11013960, | Mar 18 2016 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Exercise system including a stationary bicycle and a free weight cradle |
11033777, | Feb 12 2019 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Stationary exercise machine |
11058918, | Feb 12 2019 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Producing a workout video to control a stationary exercise machine |
11338169, | Mar 14 2013 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Strength training apparatus |
11565148, | Mar 18 2016 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Treadmill with a scale mechanism in a motor cover |
11596830, | Mar 16 2018 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Elliptical exercise machine |
11779812, | May 13 2016 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Treadmill configured to automatically determine user exercise movement |
11794075, | Mar 18 2016 | ICON PREFERRED HOLDINGS, L P | Stationary exercise machine configured to execute a programmed workout with aerobic portions and lifting portions |
11951358, | Feb 12 2019 | iFIT Inc. | Encoding exercise machine control commands in subtitle streams |
Patent | Priority | Assignee | Title |
3809003, | |||
4001899, | Sep 22 1975 | MEYER, CARL R ; MEYER, CAROL S | Combined swimming and therapy pool |
4576376, | Nov 23 1984 | Exercising apparatus | |
4918766, | Oct 16 1984 | Hydrotherapy exercising device with scissor lift treadmill | |
4938469, | Feb 21 1989 | Conray Company | Aquatic exercise apparatus |
5027449, | Aug 22 1988 | Ishikawajima-Harima Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Circulating water pool |
5083329, | Mar 08 1990 | Apparatus for effecting massage with water stream | |
5437588, | Dec 30 1993 | Multifunctional treadmill having a seat | |
5558604, | Jun 02 1994 | MCTAGGART HOLDINGS LLC | Aquatic treadmill apparatus |
5690587, | Apr 21 1993 | Treadmill with cushioned surface, automatic speed control and interface to external devices | |
5921892, | Jun 30 1997 | Essi-Ferno | Underwater treadmill device |
6679812, | Dec 07 2000 | VERT FITNESS USA, INC | Momentum-free running exercise machine for both agonist and antagonist muscle groups using controllably variable bi-directional resistance |
7086994, | Aug 06 1999 | HYDROWORX INTERNATIONAL, INC | Combination swimming, walking, running, massage, therapeutic, and recreational device |
7241250, | Jun 27 1907 | Hydroworx | Hydrotherapy and exercise device with integrated lift and treadmill means |
20040259689, | |||
20060243217, | |||
20080016610, | |||
20080127405, | |||
20080271236, | |||
DE10001878, | |||
DE102004010188, | |||
DE19963583, | |||
DE3911370, | |||
JP2001137383, |
Executed on | Assignor | Assignee | Conveyance | Frame | Reel | Doc |
Date | Maintenance Fee Events |
Nov 27 2017 | M2551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Yr, Small Entity. |
Dec 01 2021 | M2552: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Yr, Small Entity. |
Date | Maintenance Schedule |
Jun 10 2017 | 4 years fee payment window open |
Dec 10 2017 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Jun 10 2018 | patent expiry (for year 4) |
Jun 10 2020 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4) |
Jun 10 2021 | 8 years fee payment window open |
Dec 10 2021 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Jun 10 2022 | patent expiry (for year 8) |
Jun 10 2024 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8) |
Jun 10 2025 | 12 years fee payment window open |
Dec 10 2025 | 6 months grace period start (w surcharge) |
Jun 10 2026 | patent expiry (for year 12) |
Jun 10 2028 | 2 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12) |